Russell Fraser
@russelljfraser.bsky.social
Criminal defence barrister at Garden Court chambers. Executive committee member and former chair of the Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers
When she speaks of her priority being ‘fair justice’, the irony lost on Sackman is that if judges believe defendants are gaming the system perhaps they shouldn’t be tasked with determining guilt.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
MoJ to remove right to trial by jury for thousands of cases in controversial overhaul
Exclusive: Courts minister says change needed to stop criminals opting for juries to delay cases, sometimes by years, and clear huge backlog
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:14 PM
When she speaks of her priority being ‘fair justice’, the irony lost on Sackman is that if judges believe defendants are gaming the system perhaps they shouldn’t be tasked with determining guilt.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
Jenrick bringing his alt-right Alan Partridge act to a seaside pier near you
October 7, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Jenrick bringing his alt-right Alan Partridge act to a seaside pier near you
Reposted by Russell Fraser
Instead of vital police resources being used to keep communities safe, we have the absurd situation where they're being wasted on arresting peaceful protesters: people simply holding signs and exercising their democratic rights to oppose genocide.
October 4, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Instead of vital police resources being used to keep communities safe, we have the absurd situation where they're being wasted on arresting peaceful protesters: people simply holding signs and exercising their democratic rights to oppose genocide.
A new home secretary trying to make a name for herself. Another attack on protest rights.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Police to get new powers to crack down on repeated protests, says Home Office
Move follows arrest of almost 500 people at latest pro-Palestinian demonstration in London on Saturday
www.theguardian.com
October 5, 2025 at 10:08 AM
A new home secretary trying to make a name for herself. Another attack on protest rights.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
What is ‘un-British’ is a home secretary making statements of this sort
Home secretary says pro-Palestine protests in wake of Manchester attack are ‘un-British’
Home secretary says pro-Palestine protests in wake of Manchester attack are ‘un-British’
Shabana Mahmood calls for demonstrators to ‘take a step back’ and call off planned protests after Thursday’s deadly attack
www.theguardian.com
October 3, 2025 at 2:53 PM
What is ‘un-British’ is a home secretary making statements of this sort
Reposted by Russell Fraser
Zack Polanski shames Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood
"Shabana Mahmood is being deeply irresponsible"
"Conflating protests against a genocide in Gaza and weaponising that against an antisemitic attack on our streets, a terrorist attack, is deeply irresponsible"
"Shabana Mahmood is being deeply irresponsible"
"Conflating protests against a genocide in Gaza and weaponising that against an antisemitic attack on our streets, a terrorist attack, is deeply irresponsible"
October 3, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Zack Polanski shames Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood
"Shabana Mahmood is being deeply irresponsible"
"Conflating protests against a genocide in Gaza and weaponising that against an antisemitic attack on our streets, a terrorist attack, is deeply irresponsible"
"Shabana Mahmood is being deeply irresponsible"
"Conflating protests against a genocide in Gaza and weaponising that against an antisemitic attack on our streets, a terrorist attack, is deeply irresponsible"
Don’t see how this can go forward with Zarah in any kind of prominent role sadly
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Corbyn and Sultana prepare new party memberships launch – without unified line
Exclusive: party insiders hope low-stakes launch will help movement move on from chaotic start, despite ongoing tensions
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Don’t see how this can go forward with Zarah in any kind of prominent role sadly
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Russell Fraser
Olga Cherevko from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs explains that the volume of aid entering Gaza is still far below whats needed and Israel continues to impose impediments that delay & obstruct safe delivery.
August 14, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Olga Cherevko from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs explains that the volume of aid entering Gaza is still far below whats needed and Israel continues to impose impediments that delay & obstruct safe delivery.
Reposted by Russell Fraser
Because he doesn't believe Palestinian lives are equal to Israeli lives.
Because he's totally lost his humanity in his bubble where he sees peoples lives as bargaining chips.
And because the man is devoid of all principles and compassion.
Next question.
Because he's totally lost his humanity in his bubble where he sees peoples lives as bargaining chips.
And because the man is devoid of all principles and compassion.
Next question.
July 29, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Because he doesn't believe Palestinian lives are equal to Israeli lives.
Because he's totally lost his humanity in his bubble where he sees peoples lives as bargaining chips.
And because the man is devoid of all principles and compassion.
Next question.
Because he's totally lost his humanity in his bubble where he sees peoples lives as bargaining chips.
And because the man is devoid of all principles and compassion.
Next question.
Reposted by Russell Fraser
Palestinian statehood is not a bargaining chip.
It is not a threat.
It is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people.
Our demands on this shameful government remain the same: end all arms sales to Israel, impose widespread sanctions, and stop the genocide, now.
It is not a threat.
It is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people.
Our demands on this shameful government remain the same: end all arms sales to Israel, impose widespread sanctions, and stop the genocide, now.
July 29, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Palestinian statehood is not a bargaining chip.
It is not a threat.
It is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people.
Our demands on this shameful government remain the same: end all arms sales to Israel, impose widespread sanctions, and stop the genocide, now.
It is not a threat.
It is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people.
Our demands on this shameful government remain the same: end all arms sales to Israel, impose widespread sanctions, and stop the genocide, now.
Reposted by Russell Fraser
July 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by Russell Fraser
Kneecap to face no further action over Glastonbury performance
Kneecap to face no further action over Glastonbury performance
Avon and Somerset police say they are ending investigation into rap group on grounds of insufficient evidence
Kneecap will face no further action over their Glastonbury performance last month, Avon and Somerset police have said.
In a statement, the force said: “An investigation has been carried out into comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury festival on Saturday 28 June. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
July 18, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Kneecap to face no further action over Glastonbury performance
This is not the answer and will lead to further erosion over time. The briefings over the weekend suggest the govt has made its mind up. Time to use our industrial strength once again
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Jury trials must be limited to save criminal justice system from collapse, inquiry finds
Brian Leveson unveils radical proposals to clear huge backlog in crown courts
www.theguardian.com
July 9, 2025 at 6:08 AM
This is not the answer and will lead to further erosion over time. The briefings over the weekend suggest the govt has made its mind up. Time to use our industrial strength once again
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Russell Fraser
There are currently 95 proscribed groups in the UK. But with the Palestine Action it is the first time these laws have been used against a group that primarily targets property, not humans
Britain’s draconian approach to pro-Gaza activism is likely to backfire
Heavy-handed use of anti-terror laws may amplify provocateurs
econ.st
July 7, 2025 at 9:00 AM
There are currently 95 proscribed groups in the UK. But with the Palestine Action it is the first time these laws have been used against a group that primarily targets property, not humans
The number of political figures coming out in support of this does little to reassure the government will engage in a meaningful consultation
Sir Brian Leveson, who has been conducting a review of the courts, tells @theobserveruk.bsky.social radical change is essential to speed up justice. “The critical thing is that the less serious offences do not, it seems to me, justify the highest and lengthiest type of trial process.”
July 6, 2025 at 8:59 AM
The number of political figures coming out in support of this does little to reassure the government will engage in a meaningful consultation
Reposted by Russell Fraser
Thousands to lose right to a jury trial under plans for a new intermediate court observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Right to jury trial faces axe as courts try to clear backlog
Plans for less serious cases to be heard by judge and magistrates to speed up delivery of justice for victims
observer.co.uk
July 6, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Thousands to lose right to a jury trial under plans for a new intermediate court observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Russell Fraser
We have had a report saying two women walking up to a protest today at BAe Samlesbury were stopped by Lancashire Police and advised to remove their t-shirts that say 'Free Palestine', as it may "breach the proscription order".
And so it begins.
And so it begins.
July 5, 2025 at 1:05 PM
We have had a report saying two women walking up to a protest today at BAe Samlesbury were stopped by Lancashire Police and advised to remove their t-shirts that say 'Free Palestine', as it may "breach the proscription order".
And so it begins.
And so it begins.
Will protesting against proscription be treated as support? Will supporting those arrested for protesting against proscription be treated as support? Will supporting those arrested for supporting those arrested for protesting against proscription…
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Met police arrest activists holding signs referring to Palestine Action
Officers arrest protesters day after direct action group banned as terrorist organisation
www.theguardian.com
July 5, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Will protesting against proscription be treated as support? Will supporting those arrested for protesting against proscription be treated as support? Will supporting those arrested for supporting those arrested for protesting against proscription…
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...